On The Steady State and Dynamic Performance Characteristics of Floating Ring Bearings

Abstract

An analysis of the steady state and dynamic characteristics of floating ring journal bearings has been performed. The stability characteristics of the bearing, based on linear theory, are given. The transient problem, in which the equations of motion for the bearing system are integrated in real time was studied. The effect of using finite bearing theory rather than the short bearing assumption was examined. Among the significant findings of this study is the existence of limit cycles in the regions of instability predicted by linear theory. Such results explain the superior stability characteristics of the floating ring bearing in high speed applications. An understanding of this nonlinear behavior, serves as the basis for new and rational criteria for the design of floating ring bearings.